FBI Warns Against Using Public Phone Charging Stations

The FBI has issued a warning advising consumers to avoid using public phone charging stations due to the risk of exposing their devices to malware and monitoring software. According to a recent tweet from the FBI’s Denver branch, public USB charging stations, commonly found in malls and airports, may be compromised by malicious actors aiming to infect devices with harmful software. The FBI recommends carrying your own charger and USB cord and using a traditional electrical outlet instead.

This precaution stems from concerns that have been raised by security experts for years. The term “juice jacking,” coined in 2011, refers to the risk of malware being transmitted through compromised charging stations. Drew Paik, a former security expert at Authentic8, explains that simply plugging your phone into a compromised charger can infect your device, potentially compromising personal data such as emails, text messages, photos, and contacts.

The concern is that charging cords can transfer data as well as power. For example, when an iPhone is connected to a Mac via a charging cord, data such as photos can be transferred. A compromised charging port could allow hackers to access a wide range of personal information.

The FBI’s Vikki Migoya noted that the reminder is part of ongoing efforts to keep the public safe, especially while traveling. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also issued a warning, noting that corrupted charging ports can lead to the extraction of personal data or even lock a device. In some cases, criminals might even leave infected cables at charging stations or distribute them as promotional items.